Who is Jason LaBar? Bryan Kohberger's lawyer says suspect will not fight extradition to Idaho
BOISE, IDAHO: Following the arrest of Bryan Kohberger, the accused in the brutal stabbing of four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20—on Friday, December 30, his lawyer has now spoken out to issue a statement about the Washington State University graduate's immediate future.
Jason LaBar, chief public defender and Kohberger's lawyer, said his client is "eager to be exonerated of all charges" and will waive his extradition rights at his court hearing. The waiver must be made before a judge. Kohberger, 28, is currently a doctoral student in criminology. He was arrested at a home in Chestnuthill Township, which is now the home of Kohberger's parents.
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“Mr Kohberger has been accused of very serious crimes, but the American justice system cloaks him in a veil of innocence,” LaBar said, according to the Idaho Statesman. “He should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise — not tried in the court of public opinion. One should not pass judgment about the facts of the case unless and until a fair trial in court at which time all sides may be heard and inferences challenged.”
LaBar has also stated that the accused “does not have the funding for a private attorney” and will request a public defender. LaBar has reached out to the Idaho Public Defense Commission to get his client an attorney at the earliest possible time. He has also mentioned that he has spoken to the accused and his parents and has informed that because of the possibility that a death penalty will be sought by the Idaho prosecutors, funding a private attorney will not be possible because of the costs involved.
While law enforcement has been quiet about the details of the investigation, Latah County prosecutor Bill Thompson has stated that the affidavits supporting Bryan’s criminal charges will be kept confidential until he is brought to Idaho and served with the state arrest warrant.
“There’s a pending case now in court, and I and my office and the investigators have to live with the restrictions that our Supreme Court places on pretrial publicity,” Thompson said. “That said, I promise you we will share with you through the court process or otherwise whatever we are allowed to.” He then added, “This is not the end of this investigation. In fact, this is a new beginning.”